How To Keep Rats Away From Your Home

We are fast advancing into dry season when we are at risk of rodents entering into living homes because of bush burning activities and other factors.

Here are eight steps you can take to keep these rodents out of your home:

 Fill holes, cracks and gaps

Rats can slip into holes the size of a quarter. Check your home for any opening that size and larger. Seal them up with proper materials. These include steel wool, hardware cloth, cement, and plaster. Weather-strip doors and windows if there are large cracks.

 Don’t feed them

Rats are resourceful. They will find things to eat around your property, so you have to be diligent in dealing with them. Cover garbage cans at all times. Pick produce from your garden and trees as it ripens. Pick up and compost fruit and vegetables that fall to the ground. Feed outdoor pets during the day and don’t leave leftover food lying around. Don’t store pet food outside without making sure it’s in rodent proof containers.

 Remove their habitat

Don’t give these vermin a place to live. Remove debris such as limbs, old cars or appliances from your property. If you have wood piles or lumber, store them at least 18 inches above ground and a foot or so away from your home and other walls. Remove heavy vegetation, as rats consider this is a great hiding place.

 Trim trees, shrubs and limbs back four feet from your home

Rats aren’t Olympians; they can’t bridge that gap.

 Set traps inside

There are several commercially available traps to catch rats inside your home that are not dangerous to pets and children, for example, cage traps.

 Use baits and poisons

Toxic baits and poison should be used outside the home. Rats can spread poison inside your home, making it dangerous for all. Always read and follow label directions. Make sure rat bait is in an enclosed bait station. Keep the bait where children and pets can’t reach it.

 Check your neighborhood

 If you have a rat problem, it’s probably you won’t be the only one dealing with these rodents.  Work together with neighbors to check community areas for rat activity.

 Call the pros

In general, the most effective step for eliminating rats is to call on professional rat exterminators when you see evidence of a rat infestation. Rats are dangerous, so it’s best not to take a chance when dealing with them. Expert help will give you much better results than working on your own.

(Source: Triangle Pest Control)

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